raising the standards of animal welfare
The most significant animal welfare legislation for nearly a century has been published by Defra.
The Animal Welfare Bill, which applies to England and Wales, was introduced in the House of Commons yesterday and published today. Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw said:
"Once this legislation is enacted, our law will be worthy of our reputation as a nation of animal lovers.
"We are raising standards of animal welfare. Anyone who is responsible for an animal will have to do all that is reasonable to meet the needs of their animal.
"This is a much more appropriate way to ensure an animal's welfare than relying on a 94-year-old law that was only designed to prevent outright cruelty."
The Bill will:-
* Reduce animal suffering by enabling preventive action to be taken before suffering occurs.
* Improve animal welfare by introducing a duty on those responsible for animals to do all that is reasonable to ensure the welfare of their animals (for the first time for non-farmed animals).
* Simplify animal welfare legislation for enforcers and animal keepers by bringing more than 20 pieces of legislation into one.
* Deter persistent offenders by strengthening penalties and eliminating loopholes. For example, those causing unnecessary suffering to an animal will face up to 51 weeks in prison, a fine of up to £20,000, or both.
* Extend the power to make secondary legislation and brings current licensing powers into one place.
* Extend to companion animals the use of welfare codes agreed by Parliament, a mechanism currently used to ensure the welfare of farmed animals.
Mr Bradshaw said: "The vast majority of pet owners and others involved with the care of animals have nothing to fear from this legislation. This Bill is aimed at those few who do not properly fulfil their responsibilities for the animals in their charge.
"This Bill will make a real difference to the lives of domestic and kept animals in England and Wales. I expect it to have wide support across the country and in Parliament."
